What’s the best way to set goals? It varies from person to person.
There are three basic types of goals we can set: Input Goals, Output Goals, and Outcome Goals.
💪 Input Goals
Input Goals are about the work you put in (either time or effort). They look like this:
Sit at your writing desk for 2 hours every morning
Spend 10 hours on the YouTube channel each week
Give 100% in every gym session
You might not write a single sentence, or make any progress on project #getshredded. But you still showed up. Input Goal achieved.
⚖️ Output Goals
Output goals are about measurable results. What tasks can you complete (probably on a regular basis) that’ll get you closer to your long-term aims?
Write 2,000 words each day.
Film 1 YouTube video per week.
10,000+ step-count each day
🎯 Outcome Goals
These are the final outcomes that we actually want. I don’t really care about writing 2,000 words a day; what I really want is to write a good book. Being honest about your Outcome Goals can be a bit daunting.
Reach the NY Times Bestseller list.
Hit 500k views on my next YouTube video
Get 6-pack abs
Notice that there’s a spectrum of control here.
Input Goals give you total control over success or failure (so long as you set realistic time limits). You just need to show up. Output Goals can be trickier to consistently achieve, especially with creative work. And Outcome Goals are often long shots that you can only slightly influence.